Backus hosts new kids' asthma program

If you want to go

What: Wee Wheezers, an asthma awareness program for parents and children.
When: May 10, 17, 24 and 31, from 6-8 p.m.
Where: Backus Hospital entry level conference room 3.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Call Mary Buckley Davis, certified asthma educator at the Ledge Light Health District at 448-4882, ext. 308.

When a child is diagnosed with asthma it can be a scary time for parents. Learning about the disease and the many medications can be overwhelming, so the Ledge Light Health District is partnering with Backus Hospital to offer "Wee Wheezers" — an asthma education program for parents and children younger than 7.

The goal of the program is to improve parents' ability to manage childhood asthma effectively. It will provide parents and caregivers basic information, such as how the lungs function, what medications are available, and how to avoid asthma triggers.

"Navigating through so much information can be confusing for parents," said Mary Buckley Davis, certified asthma educator at Ledge Light Health District. "This is why the program was created — to give parents and children the opportunity to join others in learning more about asthma."

Ms. Buckley Davis said one in 10 children in New London County has asthma. "It is a chronic disease that can't be cured, but it can be well-controlled," she said. "We will help parents learn how to reduce and control asthma episodes."

The last two sessions of Wee Wheezers will include age-appropriate activities for children to teach them more about asthma, including how to properly use an inhaler.

Asthma is a chronic or long-term disease of the airways. The small tubes that carry air to the deep parts of lungs generally become narrow and inflamed. There is excess mucus production, which is very sticky and further narrows the airways. It is hard to clear this thick mucous, especially in children who do not have big muscles or large lung volume to generate the force needed to bring it out. Children tend to gag or throw up with an episode of continuous coughing. This type of symptom is very typical of asthma in young children — especially infants and toddlers.

Ravi Prakash, MD, Chief of Pediatrics at Backus Hospital, said there is a higher incidence in the region, partly due to environmental triggers, such as allergens. A family history of asthma or allergies, pets and exposure to cigarette smoke also increases the risk for developing asthma, he said.

"The treatment has come a long way," Dr. Prakash said. "In the past, it was mainly oral medication, but now we primarily use inhaled medications. The main focus is prevention of acute episodes through the use of medications."

He said there is still a stigma to asthma, and that some parents may be apprehensive about what it means.

"With modern medication it is not a debilitating disease," Dr. Prakash said. "If you control it well, then it shouldn't limit your ability to do what you want to do."